Michael Sussman is the founder of OnTrackAmerica, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting "Collaboration for Optimal Transportation," serving as its President and Chairman. Sussman has also been the president of Strategic Rail Finance since its inception in 1994. Sussman has created a comprehensive program for expanding private and public sector capitalization of rail-related transportation projects. This program is based on an innovative approach that leverages the underlying asset value and potential of freight railroad projects. In the last fourteen years, Sussman has coordinated financing for projects in 23 states. During twelve years of work with the federal government, Sussman has preserved the autonomy to speak and act in the best interests of the rail industry and the country by self-funding all of Strategic Rail's activities in Washington and across the country. Respect and trust for Sussman's innovative thinking in evidence on December 8, 1998, when Strategic Rail Finance conducted a rail industry briefing in the U.S. Capitol Building with 55 congressional staffers, drawing many compliments as the finest briefing they have attended during their Washington years. Sussman has expanded his capabilities with a high level of commitment to knowledge, relationships, service and integrity.
With energy at near record prices and the opportunity never greater for rail technology to improve air quality and transportation efficiency, the U.S. Congress, the rail industry, and its related stakeholders are more at odds than in partnership. This will not do for such an important infrastructure and economic linchpin as railroads. Fortunately, railroads do not need a government bailout; they are currently outperforming other industries. That stability, along with rail technology’s inherent energy and capital efficiency, can deliver a high return on investment if we focus our national economic revitalization plans on a comprehensive build-out of our entire… Read more
My work has been focused on freight transportation, so I will answer this question from the perspective of goods movement, not people movement. I suggest that we step back from the narrow focus on how best to integrate transport modes in the immediate term. Rather, we should be asking the longer-term question, what do we want and need our transportation systems to look like ten to fifty years from now? From this whole systems point of view, can we consciously and responsibly determine the optimal balance between rail and truck utilization? It is more critical than ever that we consider how… Read more
Related Link: http://www.strategicrail.com
